Sedro-Woolley Mayor Julia Johnson, Sedro-Woolley Rotary Club President Carl Garrison and Requa’s son Josh each spoke about him before he was given a plaque last week that was engraved with several of his achievements.

Requa has co-owned and operated Skagit Surveyors & Engineers in Sedro-Woolley for 40 years, during which time he also served on the city Planning Commission, City Council and Rotary Club, according to the plaque.

Garrison said Requa also donated surveys for many developments in the city, including parks and playfields.

“He’s been really dedicated to Sedro-Woolley and an inspiration to me,” Garrison said.

Requa, an Army veteran who did topographic surveys during the Vietnam War, said he has aimed to follow the Rotary motto and put “service above self.”

Johnson said Requa succeeded in doing that through his roles as a veteran, businessman, and in his involvement with the city, county, Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County and Wildcat Steelhead Club, among others.

Josh Requa, 45, said to him the greatest roles his father filled were as the family man who took him fishing and as the coach of his Little League team.

He said he believes the saying “True integrity implies you do the right thing when no one is looking and when everyone is compromising” defines his dad.

After accepting the award, Louis Requa announced he was also recently asked to serve as grand marshall of the annual Loggerodeo Parade in July.

He said he was surprised by the city award and by the honor of being asked to serve as grand marshal, as well as in early February receiving the first Hammer Heritage Award, which is given by the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s a big surprise,” he said after showing off the clock tower and restrooms he helped build at what is now downtown Sedro-Woolley’s Hammer Heritage Square.

Louis Requa said his involvement in various city projects really began when he was asked to help shape what is now the city’s largest park.

“The most motivating thing was when I was asked to be involved in the planning and building of Riverfront Park,” he said. “I got to know a lot of the Rotarians and other people in the city ... and it just seemed like the right thing to get involved (in other projects).”

Of all the projects Louis Requa has been involved with, he said the one he’s most excited about has yet to come to fruition.

It’s a plan the Rotary and Skagit County Parks & Recreation began developing years ago to build a series of baseball and softball fields surrounding the Veteran’s Memorial Park at the Northern State Recreation Area on Helmick Road east of the city.

“What we’re planning on having there eventually is a regional sports complex for all tournaments in the area between Seattle and Vancouver,” he said.

In the meantime, he said the awards and the honor of being a part of Loggerodeo came at a good time.

At 73 — and more than a year after the death of his longtime business partner John Abenroth — he said he’s preparing to sell his business, retire and hopefully travel the country with his wife of 49 years, JoAnn Requa.

“I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon or Yosemite,” he said. “We’ll probably take a motor home and travel ... and I’d like to try snowboarding.”

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